A set of three early 20^th century Chinese export silver betel items, Canton circa 1910 by Jing Chang, retailed by Kong Chan

For the Straits / Malay market. Comprising a pair of salve boxes and a betel leaf bowl. Each of rounded circular form upon circular feet. The bodies with flat chased decoration of trailing foliage, the lid with two peacocks amidst peonies, each edged with a band of meander scroll. Each marked underneath with artisan mark 景昌 (JING CHANG) and retailer’s mark KC. (3)

Diameter – 6.1 cm / 2.45 inches

Weight – 179 grams / 5.75 inches

Salve boxes contained beeswax sometimes mixed with coconut oil used to keep the betel leaf chewers lips moist and to prevent the betel juice from adhering to the lips while chewing the betel quid.